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Fifa Women's World Cup: USA make strongest claim to throne with 13-0 win over Thailand
They were the last of the major contenders to play - but a ruthless, record-breaking Women's World Cup demolition of Thailand showed why the United States are first in the world rankings.
The reigning champions' relentless 13-0 win in Reims - the city in which France used to crown its monarchs before the rise of the republic - told the world how determined they are to stay on the throne.
In contrast Japan, who have exchanged wins with the USA in the past two finals, were held to a 0-0 draw on Monday by an Argentina side ranked 37th in the world, three places below Thailand.
And the flood of goals was at odds with other title-chasing nations, who struggled to finish off their opening opponents.
World number two side Germany had a narrow 1-0 win over China in Group B, while England had to settle for a 2-1 win over improving Scotland, a nation they beat 6-0 in 2017.
Similarly, European champions the Netherlands needed a late winner to beat New Zealand in Group E, and Canada edged past a Cameroon side ranked 41 places below them.